Drink up: Napa Valley's Best Happy Hours

In Napa Valley, day drinking is the way of life. Hit up these happy hours to sip world class wine and savor award-winning food at a discounted price.

BasaltLocated right on the Napa riverfront, Basalt is one of the newest restaurants in town. Take a seat at the modern, minimalist bar, run by a bartender nicknamed "Buffalo," and choose from a handful of bites that range from cocoa spice almonds ($1) to adobo marinated chicken wings ($8). For libations, they offer a single beer and wine selection for $4 and $7 respectively, but with one of the most inventive cocktail menus around, you might as well spring for the Tommy's Margarita ($8), featuring Tapatio tequila, lime, agave and black lava salt on the rim. // Happy hour: Mon.-Fri., 5-6:30 p.m. and Sat.-Sun., 2:30-6:30 p.m., 790 Main St. (Napa), basaltnapa.com

TorcSettle in at the bar at Torc, a hip and lively Main Street spot where you can grab a pint of local beer for $3-4, or wine, cocktails, and spirits for $6. Hungry? Nibble on $5 bar bites, such as the Face Melter quesadilla, filled with short rib, habanero, and sharp cheddar cheese or the Bengali sweet potato pakora with yogurt-truffle dip. // Happy hour: Daily, 5-6:30 p.m., 1140 Main St. (Napa), torcnapa.com

BrixWith one of the latest social hours around, Brix is a great spot to round out a day of wine tasting. Select drinks and rotating bites on their "Brix Fixe" menu range from $5-10, including items with full-meal potential, such as the pepperoni pizza or the Brix cheddar cheeseburger. Our favorite pairing imvolves the classic tempura green bean fries to enjoy while looking out at Brix's signature gardens. // Happy hour: Mon.-Fri., 4-7 p.m., 7377 St. Helena Hwy. (Yountville), brix.com

(Courtesy of The Andaz)

Mercantile Social at the AndazArguably one of the best locations for a summertime happy hour, take the elevator up to the Mercantile Social at Andaz' rooftop terrace, where you can sip at the bar, around a fire pit, or in a cabana for a little more privacy on a date night. All drinks are 25% off, plus there's an additional daily cocktail special, including Moscow Mule Mondays, Tequila Tuesdays, Whiskey Wednesdays, and Dealer's Choice on Friday. // Happy hour: Daily, 6-8 p.m., 1450 1st St. (Napa), napa.andaz.hyatt.com

Carpe DiemAfter suffering significant damage during the Napa earthquake, Carpe Diem has finally reopened. Seize the happy hour with small bites that range from a shot of soup ($1.50) to cheese and charcuterie plates ($10), with addictive truffle popcorn ($3.50) and mini quack and cheese ($6) in between. Draft beers, including specialty, are priced at $4, and red, white, and bubbly wines of the week go for $6 a glass. // Happy hour: Daily, 4-6 p.m. 1001 2nd St. (Napa), carpediemwinebar.com

Bounty HunterThe best barbecue joint in town can get pretty packed around dinner time, so it's a good idea to head in during happy hour instead. Choose from the rib & 'alaw appetizer ($6) or the BBQ sampler plate ($11), piled high with coleslaw, pulled pork, brisket, and ribs (it's more than enough for a meal or to share). Wash it all down with 2-for-1 beers and Bounty Hunter wine. // Happy hour: Mon.-Fri., 3-6 p.m., 975 1st St. (Napa), bountyhunterwinebar.com

FarmsteadFarmstead's Growers' Happy Hour is a post-work favorite for Napa locals. The weekday event is notable for both its authentic farm-to-table menu and large, lively outdoor patio, often featuring live music, fireplaces, and even cooling misters on especially hot days. Sip wines for $9-10 a glass, beer for $3.50, or well liquor for $7. Eats range from the $5 oysters Rockefeller and pimento cheese dip with tortilla chips to the $17 steak tartare with farm egg. // Happy hour: Mon.-Fri., 4-6 p.m., 738 Main St. (St. Helena), longmeadowranch.com

(Courtesy of Archetype)

ArchetypeClean, bright, and straight out of a Pottery Barn magazine, head to Archetype after a day of exploring downtown St. Helena. Drinking Buddies (their name for bar bites) range from $5-8 and include chorizo corn dogs ($5), oysters ($9), and a smoked short rib quesadilla ($6). Wine and beer are $5, or you can indulge in a signature cocktail for $7. // Happy hour: Wed.-Fri., 5-7 p.m., 1429 Main St. (St. Helena), archetypenapa.com

Norman Rose TavernFor more traditional American happy hour fare, plop down at the Norman Rose bar for $6 wings, chips and dip, and $1 sliders. Pair them with a Coors Light for $3.50, other draft beers for $5, or a glass of wine for $6. 'Merica! // Happy hour: Mon.-Fri., 3-6 p.m., 1401 1st St. (Napa), normanrosenapa.com

Napa Palisades SaloonBeer lovers will find paradise at Palisades Saloon where every brew on their rotating tap list of more than 30 local craft beers is $1 off during happy hour. Or, grab one of Palisades' own brews for just $4. The menu features both traditional and atypical bar snacks—think crostini avocado toast and pickled eggs ($2), an order of two giant chicken wings ($3), a dealer's choice taco ($3), and a beer and rueben ball combo ($7). // Happy hour: Mon.-Fri., 3-6 p.m.,1000 Main St. (Napa), napapalisades.com

(Courtesy of Eiko's)

Eiko's SushiIf dinner at Morimoto's is out of your budget, fill up on modern Japanese cuisine at Eiko's. The social hour menu features $5 and $9 bites such as edamame (spicy or regular), Healthy Fries made of tempura green beans, several choices of rolls, and crispy chile shrimp. Drink specials range from $3 Coors Light to an $8 10 oz carafe of hot sake. Enjoy at the bar, in the lounge, or on the newly renovated outside patio. // Happy hour: Mon.-Fri., 4-6 p.m., 1385 Napa Town Center (Napa), eikosnapa.com

Ca' Momi OsteriaCa' Momi has expanded from the Oxbow Market to a second, larger downtown location, serving up authentic and homemade Italian cuisine. Their list of cicchetti (appetizers), goes down from $8 to $5 at happy hour, and includes unique plates such as folpetti (small musky octopus) and flori di zucca ripieni (lager battered squash blossoms). Vino, beer, and wine cocktails are $5, or you can get an amaro del giorno (a dealer's choice shot) for $3. // Happy hour: Daily, 3-6 p.m., 1141 1st St. (Napa), camomiosteria.com